CTU teachers, parents march to protest closings

About 100 people, including local teachers, parents and students, marched on the South Side in protest of the proposed closing of 54 schools.

About 100 people, including local teachers, parents and students, marched on the South Side in protest of the proposed closing of 54 schools.

Alexandra ChachkevitchTribune reporter

About 100 people, including local teachers, parents and students, marched Saturday morning on the South Side in protest of the proposed closing of 54 schools.

The protest, organized by the Chicago Teachers Union, kicked off at 10 a.m. at Jesse Owens Elementary School, 12450 S. State St., and is part of a three-day march expected to last until Monday evening.

The Chicago Board of Education is expected to consider the proposal to close 53 elementary schools and one high school program at its meeting on Wednesday.

Chanting and carrying signs that said "Hands off our schools," community members marched through the neighborhood, stopping a different schools along the way.

Michael Brunson, recording secretary of CTU, and about four more parents and organizers spoke before the march about the unfairness of the Chicago Public Schools' decision.

Karen Lewis, who was re-elected as CTU president Friday, was also expected to speak at some point along the way, according to Kathy Murray, an organizer with CTU.

"The officials spent a lot of money on renovations in some of these schools," Murray said. "And now they're closing them?"

The protest is scheduled to stop around 4:30 p.m. at Mahaila Jackson Elementary School, 917 W. 88th St.

Gwenett Jenkins, 34, a CPS teacher, was one of the protesters expressing anger at local officials, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel.